Skin-enhancing glove and method of manufacture

ABSTRACT

A protective glove includes a coating of dehydrated material on its inside surface. The dehydrated material, in contact with perspiration from a hand wearing the glove, soothes the hand. Some methods of placing the coating onto the inside surface of the glove include spraying or dipping with a solution that includes Aloe Vera.

CROSS REFERENCE

This is a continuation of commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/188,500, filed on Nov. 22, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/938,715, filed Aug. 23, 2001, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,630,152, issued on Oct. 7, 2003, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/898,632,filed Jul. 3, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,423,328, issued on Jul. 23,2002, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/288,067, filed Apr. 7, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,274,154, issued onAug. 14, 2001. These prior patent application(s) are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Disposable gloves, for example, disposable examination gloves, arewidely used as a protective measure to insulate hands from the objectshandled by the wearer of gloves. To allow ease in handling objects,disposable gloves are made of thin and elastic material to minimize thespace between the skin and the glove. Due to poor air circulationresulting from tight insulation, hand sweating is a common problem amongglove wearers. Prolonged wearing of disposable gloves causes a moistenvironment on the surface of the hand that allows viruses, bacteria,yeast and fungus to grow and multiply. Itchiness is a frequent result ofwearing disposable examination gloves for extended periods.

Powders are commonly used on the inner surface of gloves to alleviatesweating and to make donning, wearing and removal of gloves easier.However, continuous sweating can easily overwhelm the thin layer ofpowder that is commonly attached to the surface of the glove. This isespecially the case when continuous and frequent wearing of gloves isrequired. For example, dentists may continuously wear gloves during adental surgical procedure for up to 40 minutes. In addition, handwashing is necessary after the use of powdered gloves. Frequent handwashing to remove powders may also cause excess dryness of the skin.

The need for disposable gloves that can prevent adverse side effectscaused by extensive use is apparent. Various patents disclose differenttypes of gloves that contain lotions. During glove use the lotions comeinto contact human skin and condition the skins. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 5,614,202 discloses a moisturizing glove that contains a middlelayer saturated with lotion. The porous inner layer allows the lotion topass through and contact the skin. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,186,445 and4,185,330 disclose gloves that have inner lining made of a lotionabsorbent material. By impregnating the lotion onto the absorbentmaterial, the lotion can condition the hands during application of thegloves.

A common feature of the above disclosures is the use of multiple layersin the glove design. Compared to single layer disposable gloves, thecomplex design of multiple layer gloves makes production far morecostly. Most importantly, the thickness of the layers and thecomplicated structures of the gloves hinder hand flexibility when theglove wearer tries to pick up and manipulate objects. Such multiplelayer designs are suitable for moisturizing hands, but are not suitablefor manipulating objects, especially for professions that requirehandling of fine tasks with precision.

Disposable gloves are generally made of three types of materials:natural rubber latex, acrylonitrile, and polyvinyl chloride. Naturalrubber latex is sensitive to oil-based substances. Prolonged contactbetween latex and oil-based substance can adversely affect durabilityand flexibility of the latex material. Most commercially availablelotions contain oil-based substances. The use of lotions in prior artswill substantially shorten the shelf life of a natural rubber glove.

There is therefore a need for low cost disposable gloves that can applymoisturizing and therapeutic substances to the hands during the gloveuse without leaving a greasy feel or look to the skin, while at the sametime, retain the characteristics and functions of conventional singlelayer gloves.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the present invention satisfy these needs. Someembodiments of the present invention include a novel disposable glovewith Aloe Vera uniformly applied to the inner surface of the glovethrough a dehydration process, and a method for making such a glove.

One object of some embodiments of the present invention is to conditionand soothe the hands during glove use.

Another object of some embodiments of the present invention is toproduce a glove that is equivalent to a single layer glove in the user'sability to pick up and manipulate objects.

Still another object of some embodiments of the present invention is toprevent growth of bacteria, viruses, yeast and fungi on the hands, whichbecome more active in a wet environment resulting from sweating duringprolonged or frequent wearing of gloves.

A related object is to cause the anti-microbial substance to dissociateand release from the glove surface in response to the degree of wetnessof hand.

A further object is to preserve the shelf life of glove by using naturalnon-oil based substance and to preserve the activity of the therapeuticsubstance by keeping the substance in a dehydrated state.

The above objects are accomplished, for example, by applying Aloe Veraevenly to the inner surface of a disposable examination glove throughdehydration.

The objects are further accomplished, for example, by a method ofmanufacturing the Aloe Vera glove. The disposable gloves are firsttreated with chlorine solution to wash off any powders, extract solublesubstances in the composite material, and kill microorganisms. Afterdrying, the gloves are turned inside out and dipped into a prepared AloeVera solution to saturate the outer surface. The gloves are then driedin a tumbling heater within a controlled narrow range of temperaturebetween 45° C. and 65° C., and for a specific length of time. Thiscauses water to evaporate and the Aloe Vera to evenly coat the glovesurface. After cooling to room temperature, the gloves are inverted sothat the side with Aloe Vera coating is facing inside.

One embodiment of the present invention is a method of manufacturingprotective gloves. The method comprises forming a glove on a mold;applying a solution that includes Aloe Vera onto the glove while theglove is on the mold; at least partially drying the solution that hasbeen applied onto the glove while the glove is on the mold; and removingthe glove from the mold.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of manufacturingprotective gloves. The method includes applying a solution that includesAloe Vera onto a plurality of gloves; at least after beginning of theapplying step, tumbling the plurality of gloves to expose more surfaceareas of the gloves to application of the solution; and dehydratingsolution that has been applied to the plurality of gloves; wherein theplurality of gloves become coated with a dried coating that includesAloe Vera.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the front perspective view of an Aloe Vera glove constructedin accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method for manufacturingAloe Vera gloves, preferably using spraying, according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram that illustrates a conventional method formanufacturing conventional examination gloves.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method, according to anembodiment of the present invention, for manufacturing Aloe Vera glovesthat is integrated with, and includes, the manufacturing of theunderlying Aloe Vera-free gloves themselves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of thepresent invention and several variations of, and/or alternatives to,that embodiment. This discussion should not be construed, however, aslimiting the present invention to those particular embodiments.Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous otherembodiments as well.

An embodiment of the present invention is a disposable glove asillustrated in FIG. 1, which has Aloe Vera 10 evenly coated on the innersurface in a dehydrated state, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The gloveretains the features of a disposable examination glove, which is simpleand convenient to use and allows the wearer to handle fine tasks withprecision. Another embodiment of the present invention is amanufacturing method for modifying a disposable glove by coating AloeVera on the inner surface of the glove. The glove is coated with AloeVera 10 through dehydration that is accomplished by a well-controlledheating process.

A disposable glove is made of various materials to form a layer 12.Resinous materials such as vinyl or polymer materials such asacrylonitrile are common choices. Three commonly used materials formaking disposable gloves are natural rubber latex, acrylonitrile andpolyvinyl chloride.

In one preferred embodiment, the glove is made of natural rubber latex.Since natural rubber latex is sensitive to oil-based substances, glovesmade of natural rubber latex should not be exposed to oil-basedsubstances. In this embodiment, Aloe Vera is used to coat the gloves andit does not contain any detectable oil-based substances. Coating gloveswith Aloe Vera does not affect the glove's shelf life. In anotherpreferred embodiment the glove is made of acrylonitrile polymer.

Aloe Vera is a natural plant extract that has a long history of folkmedicine usage. Aloe Vera has been used for external treatment ofwounds, burns and skin irritations, and internal treatment of variousconditions. Aloe Vera is a popular ingredient in skin-care products. Itis also a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agent. Aloe Verais soluble in water and contains non-detectable oil content.

Aloe Vera glove retains the characteristic of a disposable glove withoutany visible modification, and is easy and convenient to use. Theaffiliation between Aloe Vera and the glove surface is through a forceprovided by dehydration. Such affiliation is loosened when sweatdissolves Aloe Vera. The longer a glove is worn, the more likely thehand will sweat, and consequently more Aloe Vera will be dissolved anddisassociated from the glove surface, and be applied to hand. The activeingredients in Aloe Vera can then condition hand skin and preventmicroorganisms from growing under the wet condition.

In one preferred embodiment, 100% Aloe Vera gel is used to coat thegloves. Aloe Vera is evenly and uniformly distributed on the innersurface of the glove at a thickness of about 0.01 millimeter. Theassociation between Aloe Vera and the surface is achieved by anon-covalent force provided through dehydration.

The method of manufacturing gloves involves treating a commerciallyavailable disposable glove to eliminate residue powders, solublesubstances, and microorganisms, turning the glove inside out, dipping itinto an Aloe Vera solution and heating the glove to cause water toevaporate.

A glove is preferably first treated with a chlorine solution or chlorinegas. Chlorine solution can help to sterilize the gloves, to wash offpowders, and most importantly for natural latex gloves, to dissolveresidual proteins that could potentially trigger severe allergicreactions among repeat users. After the outside surface of the glove istreated with the chlorine solution, it is turned inside out, and theglove is again treated with the chlorine solution. The residue chlorineis neutralized by using ammonia and the gloves are then dried.

An Aloe Vera solution will then be prepared. One hundred percentconcentrated Aloe Vera gel is dissolved in distilled water to generatean Aloe Vera solution. The preferred concentration of the solution isabout 20%. To associate Aloe Vera with the surface of the glove, AloeVera solution can be sprayed onto the surface of the glove.Alternatively, the glove can be immersed into the Aloe Vera solution.The latter method is preferred because it creates a complete and evendistribution of the Aloe Vera solution.

In one preferred embodiment, the dipping process is accomplished bygrouping a number of gloves in a batch to achieve higher manufacturingefficiency. The gloves are immersed in the solution for at least 10minutes to allow adequate absorbency.

Aloe Vera is attached to the surface of the glove through a controlleddehydration process. The water in the Aloe Vera solution is caused toevaporate through heating. Although a higher temperature will causewater to evaporate quicker, excess heat may damage the gloves. Forexample, gloves exposed to excessive heat of over 70° C. may turnbrownish and become brittle. To shorten the heat exposure time, aheating oven is preheated to about 45° C. before the gloves areintroduced. The oven has a temperature control mechanism to maintain amaximum temperature. In a preferred embodiment the maximum temperatureis set at approximately 65° C. and the heating process lasts from about35 to 40 minutes. The dehydration process provides an affiliation forceso that Aloe Vera can remain associated with the glove surface for anextensive period of time.

Even distribution of Aloe Vera on the glove surface maximizestherapeutic treatment of the hand and minimizes contact between the skinand the glove's composite material. Stationary drying is not preferredbecause the Aloe Vera solution tends to flow in the direction of theforce of gravity. In a preferred embodiment the heating oven has adevice to tumble during the heating to make Aloe Vera distribute evenlyon the glove surface and to form a uniform coating.

Afterward the gloves are cooled to room temperature. The gloves are theninverted so that the surface with the Aloe Vera faces inside.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method 300 for manufacturingAloe Vera gloves, preferably using spraying, according to an embodimentof the present invention. The application of Aloe Vera to glovespreferably begins with gloves that are clean and free of proteinresidue, powder, or other surface contaminants. Therefore, the method300 preferably begins with a step 310 of cleaning the gloves to removesuch contaminants. Next, Aloe Vera solution is applied to the gloves(step 312), preferably by spraying a batch of clean loose gloves thatare arranged inside out. The gloves are tumbled (step 314) so that moregloves become better exposed to current or future applying of Aloe Verasolution. Preferably, the tumbling of the gloves in the step 314 occurs,or continues to occur, after the spraying of the Aloe Vera solution inthe step 312 has already stopped. The steps 312 and 314 are thenpreferably repeated for a desired number of iterations (as shown bydecision box 316 in FIG. 3). After the last iteration of the step 312 ofapplying the Aloe Vera solution, the gloves are dried (step 318, or thestep 318 and the last iteration of the step 314).

The optional (but preferred) step 310 of cleaning the gloves of surfacecontaminants can be performed using any competent technique (includingany conventional technique). For example, as discussed above, a chlorinesolution may be used, and the chlorine solution itself is preferablyneutralized and cleaned away at the end of the cleaning step. Cleaningitems such as gloves of surface contaminants, for example, usingchlorine solution, is a known technology, and the specifics of suchcleaning would be readily apparent, depending on the particular type ofcleaning equipment being used. For example, for a sufficiently largecommercial chlorine washer, a batch of about 3000 to 4000 gloves may bewashed using any conventional cycle, for example, a cycle of about 20 to30 minutes, say, about 23 minutes. Optionally, for extra assurance ofcleanliness, the batch of gloves may be further rinsed with water,preferably in a separate commercial washing tank, for example first withhot water and then with cold (e.g., room-temperature) water for anydesired amount of time, for example, about 20 to 30 minutes or more. Forthe method 300, the water is preferably drained well from the gloves.For example, the gloves may be spun dry in the commercial washing tankin conventional manner.

Preferably, the steps 312, 314, and 318 are all performed within acommercial heat tumble dryer, for example, as follows. After theoptional water bath at the end of the optional cleaning step 310, thegloves are removed from the water bath and dumped into the heat tumbledryer. The dryer then starts tumbling the gloves. Preferably, thetumbling is accompanied by heating of the gloves by hot air andcontinues until the gloves are dry or mostly dry. Then, a spray nozzleconfigured to spray Aloe Vera solution as a fine mist starts sprayingthe Aloe Vera solution onto the gloves in the dryer. During thespraying, the tumbling may either continue or may continue at a slowerpace or may be stopped, and heating of the air may be continued orreduced or stopped. Depending on the level of integration between thespray nozzle and the dryer, the door of the dryer may be opened to allowaccess to the spray nozzle during spraying. After a period of spraying,the spraying stops and the tumbling continues, or resumes, preferablyaccompanied by resumed, or continued, heating of the air. The sprayingand tumbling are repeated for several iterations. After the lastiteration of spraying, the gloves are dried, preferably by tumbling withheating until the gloves are dry. The number and durations of iterationsand the amount of solution to use should be chosen to be sufficient,given the particular dryer and spray nozzle configuration, to leave atleast a desired minimum thickness, and/or no more than a desired maximumthickness, of dehydrated Aloe Vera on substantially every glove.

For example, for a batch of about 3000 gloves, two kilograms of 20% AloeVera solution may be sprayed in about 4 or 5 spray iterations, with thespray iterations spaced about 2 to 5 minutes apart, and with each sprayiteration's having a spray duration of about 30 to 90 seconds in a dryerthat is the oven discussed above (i.e., one that is limited to a maximumtemperature of about 65° C. (preferred) or less than about 80° C.). Asshown in FIG. 3, each spray iteration is preferably followed by atumbling iteration. The final iteration of tumbling is of sufficientduration to dry the gloves and especially should include heating. Forexample, the final iteration of tumbling may be chosen so that the totalduration of tumbling and heating gloves having Aloe Vera solution overall the steps is about 35 to 40 minutes.

Preferably, the method 300 is performed and completed using only two oronly three holding containers in which washing, spraying, or tumblingare actually performed. If two containers are used, they would be thechlorine washer and the heat tumble dryer. If three containers are used,they would be the chlorine washer, the water washer, and the heat tumbledryer.

FIG. 3 can also serve as a flow diagram for the earlier-discussedembodiment of the present invention that is a method that uses immersion(e.g., dipping) to apply Aloe Vera solution. If FIG. 3 is interpreted todescribe the method that uses immersion, then preferably the decisionbox 316 reflects having only a single iteration of immersing (the step312), and the box for step 314 can be interpreted to refer to agitationof the immersion tank, for example, in the manner of a washing machine.After the immersion (e.g., the Steps 312 and 314), the step 318 refersto tumble drying, as has been discussed earlier. If FIG. 3 is used todescribe the immersion method, then preferably an extra holdingcontainer would be used, namely, an immersion tank that contains theAloe Vera solution. Thus, if the method 300 is embodied so as to useimmersion, then the method 300 is preferably performed and completedusing only three or only four holding containers in which washing,immersion, or tumbling are actually performed. If three containers areused, they would be the chlorine washer, the immersion tank for AloeVera solution, and the heat tumble dryer. If four containers are used,they would be the chlorine washer, the washer for water, the immersiontank for Aloe Vera solution, and the heat tumble dryer.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method formanufacturing Aloe Vera gloves is integrated with, and/or includes, themanufacturing of the underlying Aloe Vera-free gloves themselves. Thisother embodiment is especially preferred for produce large quantities ofAloe Vera gloves efficiently.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram that illustrates a conventional method 400 formanufacturing conventional examination gloves. In a step 410, gloves areformed on molds by conventional processes. Each of these molds is shapedto be at least reminiscent of a hand such that the resulting gloves willfit hands. The forming and formed gloves undergo conventional processingon the molds in the step 410. Then, in a step 412, they are removed fromthe molds.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method 500, according to anembodiment of the present invention. The method 500 is a method formanufacturing Aloe Vera gloves that is integrated with, and includes,the manufacturing of the underlying Aloe Vera-free gloves themselves.Preferably, the method 500 is fully automated within a production line.In a step 510, gloves are formed on molds using any competent technique,for example, using conventional processes as discussed in connectionwith FIG. 4. The forming and formed gloves undergo processing on themolds in the step 510 using, for example, conventional processing. In astep 512, an Aloe Vera solution, for example, the solution discussedearlier, is applied to the gloves while the gloves are still on theform. The application of the solution can be via any competenttechnique, for example, spraying, immersing, pouring, overfilling,dipping, and the like, (which are not mutually exclusive techniques). Ina step 514, the Aloe Vera solution that coats the gloves undergoes atleast partial, and preferably full or at least substantial, dehydration.Next, in a step 516, the gloves are removed from the molds. Preferably,after removal from the molds, the gloves are further dried and cured byheat, in a step 518.

In the step 510, the gloves formed on the mold are preferably consideredto be inside out such that that the interior of each glove, as later tobe worn on the hand, faces outward. The gloves are formed and processedusing whatever technique is competent to produce a glove of the desiredmaterial. The preferred material is natural rubber latex. After a gloveis formed, while on the mold, the later hand-facing surface of the gloveis preferably made safer, and/or easier to slide during donning, forlater contact with hands, either by cleaning off any residual proteins,chemicals, and the like, for example, using chlorine, or by coating thesurface with a thin insulating layer that will attempt to insulate thehand from contact with the residual proteins, chemicals, and the likeduring wearing of the glove. By being cleaned, the glove is likely to beslicker and easier to slide over skin during donning, especially if theglove is made of natural rubber latex. Similarly, the insulating layeris preferably made of a substance that is more slippery than theunderlying glove. For example, even if the glove is a vinyl glove of atype that is not made significantly safer or more slippery by cleaning,it may still be coated with an insulating layer to increase itsslipperyness and thereby be made easier to don. The insulating layer is,for example, a polymer layer, for example, of silicone or polyurethane,

In the step 512, Aloe Vera solution, such as has already been described,is applied to the gloves while the gloves are still on the molds, eitherby dipping or by spraying. If spraying is used, it should be thoroughenough so as to leave a desired amount of solution on the gloves' insideout surfaces, for example, an amount comparable to that which would beobtained from dipping.

In the step 514, the gloves undergo at least partial, and preferablyfull or at least substantial, dehydration. For example, fanned heatedair may be blown across the gloves on the molds. For natural rubberlatex gloves, especially, the air is preferably not more than about 80°C., and even more preferably, the air is not more than about 65° C.Preferably, the Aloe Vera coating is sufficiently dried to providesufficient adhesion between the Aloe Vera coating and the glove so thatthe coated glove can withstand the next step 516.

In the step 516, the gloves are stripped from the molds.

In the optional step 518, the loose gloves are further cured, and theirAloe Vera coatings are even further dehydrated by heat, for example, ina dryer as has been discussed earlier.

The forming and processing of gloves on molds in the step 510, in oneexample, includes, on an automatic production line: cleaning porcelainformers (molds) using hot water (for example, about 40° C. to 100° C.);drying the porcelain formers in hot air (for example, at about 40° C. to100° C.); dipping the formers in coagulant (for example, at about 40° C.to 70° C.); drying the coagulant on the formers in hot air (for example,at about 35° C. to 140° C.); dipping the coagulant-coated formers inlatex (for example, at about 25° C. to 45° C.); curing the latex on theformers in hot air (for example, at about 60° C. to 140° C.); leachingthe gloves on the formers; beading the edge of the gloves on theformers; and then making the glove surfaces safer, and easier to don,for later contact with hands, either by cleaning or by coating thesurface, as discussed above. If cleaning is used in themaking-safer/making-easier-to-don step, then the forming and processingfurther includes: further curing (for example, at about 80° C. to 140°C.); rinsing with cold water (for example, at no more than roomtemperature); chlorination (for example, at no more than about 30° C.);preferably preceded by further rinsing with cold water (for example, atno more than room temperature); neutralization; further rinsing (forexample, with hot followed by cold water); and dehydration and furthercuring in hot air. Alternatively, if coating is used in themaking-safer/making-easier-to-don step, then the forming and processingfurther includes: drying in hot air (for example, at about 80° C. to150° C.); coating with polymer (for example, at no more than about 45°C.); and further drying and curing in hot air (for example, at about 80°C. to 150° C.).

In addition to the preferred natural rubber latex, the present inventionmay be embodied as Aloe Vera-coated gloves of acrylonitrile, polyvinylchloride, polyurethane, chloroprene, neoprene, butadiene, or the like,and their manufacturer. Further, in addition to Aloe Vera, the presentinvention may be embodied to alternatively or additionally use any otherskin-soothing or skin-moisturizing substance or mixture that can bedried onto the inside of a glove and that, in the dry form, is mixedwith moisture that consists only of perspiration from a hand duringwearing of the glove and moisturizes the hand.

While the invention is described in some detail with specific referenceto a few preferred embodiments and some alternatives, there is no intentto limit the invention to the particular embodiments or the specificalternatives. Thus, the true scope of the present invention is notlimited to any one of the foregoing exemplary embodiments.

1. A method of manufacturing a disposable examination glove, the methodcomprising the acts of: forming a disposable glove from a natural rubberlatex; spraying the interior surface of said glove with substantially100% Aloe Vera and a liquid carrier; and evaporating the liquid carrierfrom the coating to form a dehydrated coating of Aloe Vera attached tothe interior surface of said glove, so that the Aloe Vera contacts thehand of a person wearing said glove, wherein said glove is made of asingle layer of natural rubber latex prior to being sprayed.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein said liquid carrier is water.
 3. The method ofclaim 1 wherein said interior surface of said glove is treated withchlorine prior to spraying said surface with Aloe Vera and a liquidcarrier.
 4. A method of manufacturing a disposable examination glove,the method comprising the acts of: forming a disposable glove from asingle layer of natural rubber latex; spraying an aqueous solution ofAloe Vera to the interior surface of said glove; and removing the liquidcarrier to form a dehydrated coating of Aloe Vera attached to theinterior surface of said glove, so that the Aloe Vera contacts the handof a person when wearing said glove, turning the glove right side out,so that the dehydrated coating of Aloe Vera contacts the hand of aperson when wearing said glove.